District News & Notes
August 11, 2021
KAREN MELIN, ACTING SUPERINTENDENT
Dear District Families,
Welcome to a brand new school year. We are excited to welcome students back to school in person at buildings, in their homes as homeschool students, and in a virtual environment. It is our intention to offer in-person learning for the students in our district throughout the entirety of this school year.
For families that choose to receive instruction in-person, the current school board policy is to offer the option of wearing masks or not. The option to wear a mask is a family decision. We respect the authority of parents to make that choice for their family. Because it is an option, the district staff will respect and support whatever choice your family makes. There will continue to be heightened cleaning protocols and screening opportunities for those who wish to take advantage of that. Attention will be given to spacing and planning indoor activities in an effort to reduce the spread of any diseases. The district will also have a testing option at most schools in the event a student becomes sick at school. Our practice continues to be that if your student is sick, please do not send them to school. For more details about our COVID mitigation plan please visit our website athttps://www.k12northstar.org/Page/10902 .
For families who discovered eLearning is the best way to receive instruction, we have classes for students K-12 to access an online platform to learn. This choice is not home school. It is public school at home. It offers flexibility for students and families. The family decides where and how students receive instruction and support. To learn more about this option go to: https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/9918
For families that choose to offer instruction at home, we have our incredible Fairbanks B.E.S.T. program. In this option, instruction is delivered at home by the parents or designated person using materials and equipment provided through an allotment to families from the school district. This option has been available for many years and has proven to be an excellent choice for many students and families. To learn more about Fairbanks B.E.S.T go to: https://www.k12northstar.org/BEST
As we start this new school term we are inviting you, as a community, to unite with us to ensure we can create and maintain a symptom free environment for our students and staff. We have learned over the last year many different ways we, as individuals, and as a community can help stop the spread of disease. Please join us by practicing the 3C’s:
Be Cautious -Make healthy choices, avoid people who are sick, be thoughtful about activities, and consider getting vaccinated.
Be Courteous – Respect others’ health privacy, cover your coughs & sneezes, stay home if you are sick, and take advantage of COVID screening and testing opportunities.
Be Clean – Wash your hand often, use hand sanitizer, avoid touching your face, and disinfect high touch surfaces.
There is much to be thankful for and much to look forward to as we launch into this year. As families make choices regarding instructional delivery and physical health we are ready to partner with parents to fulfill the district mission of providing an excellent, equitable education in a safe, supportive environment so all students will succeed and contribute to a diverse and changing society.
All the best,
Karen Melin
Acting Superintendent
MITIGATION PLANS
The district is committed to providing and maintaining healthy, symptom-free environments for students to learn and for staff to work and teach. Our focus is to keep students in school throughout the entirety of the school year.
Resources to make the decision that is right for your family can be found on our FNSBSD & COVID page.
We have provided the Operational Guidelines, Wellness Check for Students & Staff, FAQ's and other resources for family decision making.
Please check our website often for updates.
Operational Guidelines
Operational Guidelines
Wellness Check for Students & Staff
ACTIVITIES UPDATE
FALL ACTIVITIES
The district is excited for the return of fall high school activities! Cross country running, tennis, football, and flag football have all started practicing in preparation for their seasons. Our Swimming & Dive teams along with volleyball will begin practice on August 4th. Check out ASAA's calendar of events.
For information on schedules, the district's activity mitigation plan, or what is required for participation can be found on the district's activity page.
We hope to see you at a game this fall!
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY
Lathrop, North Pole, and West Valley high schools will all have high school hockey programs this year funded through school booster clubs. Hockey begins October 13th, 2021, and additional information regarding hockey will be provided by schools.
SCHOOL START TIMES & BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Staffing and roles have changed within the Special Education office. Please find our current contact information below:
Who To Contact in Special Education
Child Find
Parents/Caregivers, do you think your child (ages 3-5) may have problems with communication, learning, or skill development? Please view the following link for information regarding Child Find opportunities. Child Find BrochureNUTRITION SERVICES
Nutrition Services is ready to spring into action for the 2021-2022 school year!
Many have asked if we will be offering breakfast and lunch free of charge for the 2021-2022 school year and the answer is YES!
Students enrolled in brick & mortar schools, are able to receive breakfast and lunch for free every school day. Watershed and Boreal Sun students are now able to participate!
Students enrolled in E-Learning are able to pick up meals when the school is serving those in attendance. They can pick up breakfast and lunch at one serving time. At this time, a parent cannot pick up meals for their student. Please contact the kitchen manager for serving times and our office at foodservice@k12northstar.org or 907-451-1004 if you have other questions.
BEST students are able to receive meals if they are attending a class at a brick & mortar school immediately before or after a meal service.
Even though meals are free, completing the 2021-2022 meals application Free & Reduced Meals Application is very important. Meal status provides assistance with course fees, exam fees, and federal funding for the District, to name a few.
JOIN US! We have several vacancies and many positions are during school hours. Weekends and evenings off as well as great benefits! Check us out and become part of our fabulous team! https://Nutritionservices.careers/jobs
TEACHING AND LEARNING
WORK FOR THE DISTRICT!
The district currently has over 100 positions open. One of them will be the right fit for you! Great benefits, amazing people to work with, and the chance to serve the children of our community.
We also have open recruitment for Substitute and Temporary positions!
THANKS FOR VISITING OUR FAIR BOOTH!
Our staff brought all types of supplies and fun to the fair this year! If you weren't able to stop by, here are some quick links to get you started!
Register for the bus? Find your bus stop? https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/2270
All of our learning options: https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/9982
Back to School Information: https://www.k12northstar.org/domain/5380
TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
If you haven’t returned your student device(s) from last school year, please do so soon! We need to recondition each device and assure they are in good working order for this year. Thank you!
HOOTBOARD (Submitting and viewing flyers)
We are excited to invite you to sign up for our new flyer website, Hootboard. Flyers for all types of community activities can be found on the district’s page within Hootboard. Nonprofits and government agencies can upload their flyer, our staff will approve it, and then families will have access to them immediately. No paper to track!
DISTRICT UPDATES
Aug 16: Board Work Session, 6:00pm-Review of General Charter School Operations &
Meet with the Boreal Sun Charter School Academic Policy Committee
Aug 17: Board Regular meeting, 6:00pm
Aug 18: First day of school for students
Aug 30: Board Work Session, 6:00pm-Strategic Plan Status & Action Plan Preview
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Email: publicrelations@k12northstar.org
Website: https://www.k12northstar.org
Location: 520 5th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK, USA
Phone: (907) 452-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fsdk12/
Twitter: @fsdk12